I
first found Aerin while she was gazing in a mirror, removing her headband, and contemplating the vast question of whether she could
scrub away the person she had been in order to become someone
different (see Aerin's
Dilemma). This, of course, was a question which required an
entire book to answer. Three books, actually, if I ever have the
opportunity to share them all. Aerin has never been particularly
easy to read, but she has always been intriguing. Raw. And the heart
of the story.After I met her, two
other characters-with a vague resemblance to Paul and Yvonne-tried
to machinate their way into becoming equally important voices. They
were distracting. Yvonne, in particular, caused no end of trouble
trying to overinflate her status. But then, Dane showed up. Dane, who has no
patience with deception. Or duplicity. And has never been the slightest bit dishonest about his own
compulsion for trouble. I found him in prison, throwing away his
future and angry with his father. Paul never stood a chance. In fact, Dane
eventually stole all the main action I had assigned to Yvonne as
well. He was just far more interesting than either of them. So Academy 7 is, in the end, Aerin and
Dane's story.As they must always have known it would be.